Ships and aircraft of the George Washington and John C. Stennis carrier strike groups are conducting exercises to increase interoperability, readiness, and the capability to respond quickly to various potential crises in the region, ranging from combat operations to humanitarian assistance.

Located in the northeast edge of the Indian Ocean, the Andaman Sea narrows to form the Strait of Malacca, one of the most important shipping lanes in the world. Both CSGs have been conducting forward presence operations and port visits in the vital Asia-Pacific region for the past three weeks, but having two aircraft carriers operating together in the Andaman Sea is an unusual opportunity.

"The U.S. Navy routinely conducts dual-aircraft carrier operations in international waters when and where opportunities exist; however, I believe this is the first time it has been done in the Andaman Sea," said Capt. Greg Fenton, USS George Washington's (CVN 73) commanding officer. "These operations are vital in improving interoperability and readiness to respond across the full range of military operations from humanitarian assistance to combat missions."

The two CSGs conducted similar dual-carrier operations in late September near Guam following exercise Valiant Shield.

"Integrated operations are essential to our ability to effectively respond to any threat or crisis in the region," said Rear Adm. Chuck Gaouette, commander of the Stennis CSG. "As the Asia-Pacific region continues to grow in importance, we must ensure we are capable of operating in a complex environment in order to continue to promote peace, cooperation and stability here."

Consisting of more than 10,000 Sailors, 120 aircraft, four escort ships and a supply replenishment ship, both CSGs patrolled the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations over the last few weeks before conducting highly successful port visits.

Re: #WARFIGHTING: 2 More Carrier Strike Groups on Way to Persian Gulf as Iranian Cyber-attacks Escalate

GULF OF ADEN (Oct. 8, 2012) An E-2C Hawkeye assigned to Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 1 sits on the flight deck of USS Enterprise (CVN 65) at night. Enterprise is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility conducting maritime security operations, theater security cooperation efforts and support missions as a part of Operation Enduring Freedom.

Re: #WARFIGHTING: 2 More Carrier Strike Groups on Way to Persian Gulf as Iranian Cyber-attacks Escalate

U.S. authorities believe that Iranian-based hackers were responsible for cyberattacks that devastated Persian Gulf oil and gas companies, a former U.S. government official said.

Just hours later, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said the cyberthreat from Iran has grown, and he declared that the Pentagon is prepared to take action if America is threatened by a computer-based assault.

Re: #WARFIGHTING: 2 More Carrier Strike Groups on Way to Persian Gulf as Iranian Cyber-attacks Escalate

Hezbollah drone scanned Israel missile sites, main airfields: Report

The drone Hezbollah recently sent into the Israeli airspace has photographed secret military bases inside the occupied territories, a report says.

According to the UK newspaper Sunday Times, “The drone, which was airborne for three hours before being intercepted by an F-16 jet, is believed to have transmitted pictures of preparations for Israel’s biggest joint military exercise with the US army… as well as ballistic missile sites, main airfields and, possibly, its nuclear reactor in Dimona.”

The report also stated that the interception of the unmanned aerial vehicle was “botched” when the first missile fired by the Israeli warplane missed.

Re: #WARFIGHTING: 2 More Carrier Strike Groups on Way to Persian Gulf as Iranian Cyber-attacks Escalate

Hezbollah drone scanned Israel missile sites, main airfields: Report

The drone Hezbollah recently sent into the Israeli airspace has photographed secret military bases inside the occupied territories, a report says.

According to the UK newspaper Sunday Times, “The drone, which was airborne for three hours before being intercepted by an F-16 jet, is believed to have transmitted pictures of preparations for Israel’s biggest joint military exercise with the US army… as well as ballistic missile sites, main airfields and, possibly, its nuclear reactor in Dimona.”

The report also stated that the interception of the unmanned aerial vehicle was “botched” when the first missile fired by the Israeli warplane missed.

I don't believe a word that is written on PressTV ! That drone did not have the capability to transmit live images back to Hezbollah...that would require a satellite connection and needless to say they don't have such a thing !

The drone was radio controlled from Lebanon or even programmed to fly on a certain course then return home so any pictures of Israeli missile sites it might have taken went up in smoke along with it !

Do you guys remember Saddam's saber rattling before the US invaded in 2003 ?

When he was saying he will unleash "the full might of the Iraqi army upon the western invaders" ? And after 1 week there was nothing left of the Iraqi army, most of his planes never got off the ground and were destroyed on the airfields and his tanks were target practice for the M1 Abrams and the USAF !

OK, Iran isn't Iraq, but they won't last long either against a joint US-Israeli attack, the Iranian Navy officers are just say this to boost troop morale...what else are they gonna say ?

Do you guys remember Saddam's saber rattling before the US invaded in 2003 ?

When he was saying he will unleash "the full might of the Iraqi army upon the western invaders" ? And after 1 week there was nothing left of the Iraqi army, most of his planes never got off the ground and were destroyed on the airfields and his tanks were target practice for the M1 Abrams and the USAF !

OK, Iran isn't Iraq, but they won't last long either against a joint US-Israeli attack, the Iranian Navy officers are just say this to boost troop morale...what else are they gonna say ?

Quoting: subzero86

I agree that Iran will not be able to defeat the joint forces of the U. S. and Isreal, how ever Iran has a lot more firepower than Iraq did. There will be a greater loss of life and equipment this time around.

Re: #WARFIGHTING: 2 More Carrier Strike Groups on Way to Persian Gulf as Iranian Cyber-attacks Escalate

I agree that Iran will not be able to defeat the joint forces of the U. S. and Isreal, how ever Iran has a lot more firepower than Iraq did. There will be a greater loss of life and equipment this time around.

Quoting: greg23

It was never a matter of Iran defeating the US-Israel, the only question was, how long it will take them to bring down Iran's defenses ! And the answer is, longer than Iraq but still within a matter of weeks !

The US and Israel will gain complete control of the skies over Iran in less than a week and with air superiority guaranteed...it's pretty much over for Iran !

Re: #WARFIGHTING: 2 More Carrier Strike Groups on Way to Persian Gulf as Iranian Cyber-attacks Escalate

Iran will take out many US ships, and launch missiles at Israel taking many civilians out, and possibly destroying most the country.

The other countries will possibly join in at this point seeing that America is in a confrontation, and do more damage.

China may also go after Japan, and Taiwan during this time.

North Korea may even hit South Korea.

With the current economic climate, and possibilities of social unrest in each country due to food shortages, and high prices... The main goal is to always project hate on your enemies to get the people looking outward.

America has many enemies, and they all lay, and wait until America is either preoccupied or weak.

Re: #WARFIGHTING: 2 More Carrier Strike Groups on Way to Persian Gulf as Iranian Cyber-attacks Escalate

Iran will take out many US ships, and launch missiles at Israel taking many civilians out, and possibly destroying most the country.

The other countries will possibly join in at this point seeing that America is in a confrontation, and do more damage.

China may also go after Japan, and Taiwan during this time.

North Korea may even hit South Korea.

With the current economic climate, and possibilities of social unrest in each country due to food shortages, and high prices... The main goal is to always project hate on your enemies to get the people looking outward.

America has many enemies, and they all lay, and wait until America is either preoccupied or weak.

This may be the chance these countries need.

Quoting: Anonymous Coward 23746394

I'm not sure how many Iranian missiles will make it past the Aegis cruisers in the strait and also Israel's Iron Dome and Arrow 2 missile defense shields !

However the missiles fired from Gaza and Lebanon are another story, Israel will take a lot of damage before the IDF will manage to take out Hamas and Hezbollah but certainly won't be totally destroyed !

Regarding the other possible war scenarios around the world...I really hope America has enough resources to defend Japan, Taiwan and South Korea otherwise, it's curtains for them in a confrontation with China and North Korea !

Also it's very important for the US NOT to spread its forces to thin and forget about defending the home land !